I-55 bridge at Memphis reopens after wreck

The Interstate 55 southbound bridge over the Mississippi River connecting West Memphis and Memphis was closed for hours Wednesday because of an accident.

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation announced the closure about 5:30 a.m.; and the Arkansas Online live traffic map showed congestion in the area.

The Highway Department said at 10:30 a.m. that the bridge over the Mississippi River remained closed as crews inspected it after a fiery accident, and at 11:10 a.m. said it would be another hour before the bridge reopened. The department announced shortly after 1 p.m. that the bridge was open.

Police told Memphis television station WMC that an SUV stalled on the bridge, and the driver of the tractor-trailer tried to swerve to avoid hitting it. The truck then crashed into a retaining wall, causing the fire.